How Can I Help? Volunteer opportunities available.

MURFREESBORO Musicians on Call is in need of volunteer guides and performers for the weekly program. At 5:30 p.m. each Thursday, musicians perform for residents of the York VA Medical Campus. Volunteers must attend an orientation and training, and commit to attending at least once a month for a year.

Volunteer guides escort musicians room-by-room to play for patients. For information, email christina@musiciansoncall.org.

Adopt-A-Grandparent

MURFREESBORO Volunteers are needed for the Adopt-A-Grandparent program through Barnabas Vision, a local faith-based nonprofit. The agency is working with nursing homes, assisted living and senior centers to organize this program. Volunteers should be 18 years or older, or younger volunteers should be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers spend between 20 minutes to an hour a week with their "adopted" grandparent. Ideas include socializing, looking at photos, sharing stories, watching television, attending an activity such as bingo, strolling, patio time, puzzle time, checkers, reminiscing, crafting or chatting.

If you can help, email adoptagrandparentbv@gmail.com. If you're like to learn more about Barnabas Vision, call 615-995-2574 or visit thebarnabasvision.org.

Feed America First

MURFREESBORO Volunteers or volunteer groups (church small groups, scout packs, etc,) are needed to assist in preparing food boxes for distribution to the hungry from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at their warehouse, located at 315 Murfreesboro St. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather as their warehouse is not temperature controlled. If you are interested in helping, call Julie Vandel at 931-993-4715.

Center for the Arts

MURFREESBORO Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Center for the Arts, located at 110 W. College St., is cleaning house. Assistance is needed to organize the prop room, building materials, tech rooms and storage spaces. There will be a job for everyone, whether it is sorting papers, weeding flower beds, building storage racks or throwing items in the Dumpsters. Bring gloves and wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty. If you have any questions, call 615-904-2787 or email meagan@boroarts.org.

Race assistance

MURFREESBORO The Bruce Gilley 5K/10K Run for Him, set for Aug. 30, is needing volunteers to help with race-day setup and break-down, cheerleaders for runners and help handing out water. The race steps off at 7 a.m. The Bruce Gilley Memorial Foundation funds Christian camps and mission trips for young people. For more information, contact Amy Drake at adrake927@comcast.net.

Transport assistance

MURFREESBORO Doors of Hope, a nonprofit that works to reintegrate inmates back into society, is seeking volunteers to help provide transportation to clients on Monday and Tuesday. Help is needed immediately and is an on-call situation which might require as much as 20 to 30 miles, all local. Volunteers should have a valid driver's license and dependable transportation. Email opendoorsofhope@gmail.com or call 615-653-5501. Also visit opendoorsofhope.org to learn more about Doors of Hope and find out other ways you can help.

Santa in summer

MURFREESBORO The Child Advocacy Center is seeking donations for its "Santa Under the Sea" fundraising campaign.

Proceeds benefit the many programs offered through the CAC, including the "Darkness to Light" child abuse awareness seminars. The center also provides a safe place for victims of child abuse and their nonoffending family members. To donate, send tax-deductible donations to Child Advocacy Center, 1040 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN, 37129. For more details about the agency, call 615-867-9000.

Garden growers

MURFREESBORO Murfreesboro Community Garden organizers are seeking volunteers to help with weeding, watering, harvesting and general garden maintenance at 4 p.m. every Saturday at 806 E. State St. Email mborogarden@gmail.com if you can help. Also visit the group on Facebook.

Baby care needs

MURFREESBORO Portcio, a pregnancy support center, is in need of donations of gift baskets, and gift certificates from area restaurants or for services such as massages and manicires, to use in the October silent auction. Contact Laura Brown at laura.brown@porticostory.org if you can donate.

Also, the agency is hosting the Character Chase 5K from 7-11 a.m. Sept. 6 and volunteers are needed to man that event. If you can help, contact Dawn Key at dawn.key@porticostory.org or call 615-893-0228.

Night on Aug. 23 to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. Volunteers who have experience in bartending are needed, as well as anyone who knows about gambling games such as roulette, blackjack, craps and poker. If you can help, email Cindi Thomas at cthomas@murfreesborotn.gov.

Smyrna Lions

SMYRNA Smyrna Lions Club is in need of used eyeglasses, old cell phones and ink cartridges. To help and donate, contact Steve Falk at 407-913-3104 or email stevefalk@bellsouth.net.

Senior day

MURFREESBORO Thursday is National Senior Citizens Day and Northside Healthcare facility is celebrating. From 2-4 p.m., residents will gather and enjoy the company of volunteers who drop in to visit. If you have a talent, old photos of Rutherford County to share or something special to add to the day, contact Kimberly Honeycutt at kimberlyhoneycuttboro@yahoo.com or call 615-849-8748. Northside is located at 202 E. MTCS Road.

Food bank

SMYRNA The Smyrna-La Vergne Food Bank is in desperate need of assistance as well as donations.

Volunteers are needed to help with other projects. Hours of operation for the facility are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and the second and fourth Saturdays each month.

Staff does not have to be present if you bring your own gardening supplies.

There is a need for a garden fence to be built if someone can donate time and/or supplies.

Volunteers are always needed in the warehouse. Most volunteers work a full shift, although half-shifts can be done as well.

Help is needed to purchase frozen and refrigerated meats as well as dairy products for families as well.

If you can help the Smyrna-La Vergne Food Bank, contact Ladawna Parham, smyrnafoodbank@gmail.com.

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